Harriet Rothbart Luster

Harriet Rothbart Luster passed away on March 20, 2020 at Brookdale Senior Living in Kingsport.

She was born in Johnson City, TN, in 1931 where she lived most of her life. She attended school in Johnson City and was graduated at Highland Manor in West Long Beach, NJ.

Mrs. Luster was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Pearl Silver Rothbart; sister Carol Rothbart Craven, Martha’s Vineyard, MA; son Robert M. Nachman; husband Rufus Z. Luster; and her special friend Fred Holloway.

Survivors include son Marcus Nachman and his wife Patty Jo, Kingsport, TN; grandson Zachary J. Nachman and his wife Abby, Johnson City; son Alan D. Nachman DDS, Virginia Beach, VA; granddaughter Lauren Nachman, NC.; nephew Michael Mather Boardman and family, Greenwich, CT; and a very special cousin Doris Dubinsky and family, Atlanta, GA.
Mrs. Luster was a lifelong member of B’nai Sholom Congregation, Blountville, TN, serving a term as Sisterhood President. She was a member of the Jr. Service League, Blue Ridge Quilters Guild and the Tri Cities Dive Club. She enjoyed quilting, pottery making, playing Mahjong, and scuba diving, which she loved to do the most and traveled the world with her friends from the Dive Club.

She worked for two plastic surgery physicians in her younger days. In 1976 she and her husband Rufus took over her father’s pawnshop Albert’s Loan Office which was founded in 1927. Later they also ran a dairy farm in Limestone, TN, for many years. She never met a stranger and was loved by many friends. We thank the caring staff at Brookdale Colonial Heights who took such loving and thoughtful care of her during the past two years.

There will be a family-only graveside service (due to current health concerns) at Monte Vista Memorial Park with Rabbi Arthur Rutberg officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Washington County-Johnson City Animal Shelter, 3411 N. Roan Street, Johnson City, TN 37601 or the B’Nai Sholom Congregation, P. O. Box 271, Johnson City, TN 37605-0271.